Get Inspired By HALO Winner Jordan Somer

On Wednesday, CG introduced you to HALOaward winner Lauren
Huichan who overcame her rough foster care upbringing to inspire others. The
HALO Awards (airing on TeenNick, Friday, December 10th on TeenNick at 8 p.m. ET and on Nick at Nite at 9 p.m. ET)
are the brainchild of Nick Cannon and TeenNick to honor those teens changing
their communities Each of the four winners receives a visit from Nick, a
partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation, a grant for their
organization,a scholarship fund and they get matched with a celebrity with a
similar passion for their cause.
Now we bring you Jordan Somer, 17, of Papillion, Nebraska. A pageant
queen since age 4, Jordan created Miss Amazing, a pageant for young women ages
5 to 35 with both physical and mental disabilities. Her HALO match is
Rosario Dawson who shares her passion for female empowerment. Read on to learn
more about Jordan's amazing passion for her cause - it will inspire you.

CG:What was moment you knew you wanted to do something to change the
world?

JS: I
was offered the opportunity to represent Nebraska when I received the title of
National American Miss Nebraska Jr. Teen. I knew I wanted to take
advantage of this job to make a difference.

CG:Who do you consider your
mentor/role model and why?

JS: I don't
consider any one person my main role model. Everyone around me has
something positive to share. I become inspired by any person who is
living their life to the fullest.

CG:What is your advice to kids that
want to change their community but don't know where to start?

JS: Find your
passion first! If you want to change the world, you need to find an issue
that you truly want and need to act upon. Next, you can start small or go
straight to starting your own community service project. After some
brainstorming, you'll know exactly what difference you're called to make.

CG:Tell us about your charity in
your words.

JS: The Miss Amazing Pageant is a three
in one philanthropy. First of all, the contestants have the opportunity
to raise their confidence through out the year by preparing for and performing
at the Miss Amazing Pageant. Furthermore, the community also benefits
from the funds raised from ticket sales and the silent auction. Looking a
little deeper, the volunteers and audience members are also able to go through
their own journey as they learn something different from every one of the
contestants.

CG: How has The
Miss Amazing Pageant changed your life?

JS: I don't even know where to begin! Miss Amazing has
molded me into an entrepreneur and has taught me an immeasurable amount of
skills. Most importantly, I learn more about reaching for the stars every
time I meet up with the Miss Amazing girls. If anyone exemplifies this
belief, the Miss Amazing girls do.

CG: Moment
that has been most inspiring through your work?

JS: We have a
little tradition at the Miss Amazing Pageant. When the girls are gathered
in a group, I ask them "What are you?" and they all yell back,
"AMAZING!" This response lets me know that my goal for the Miss
Amazing Pageant has been accomplished.

CG: How did you find out you were a HALO award nominee?

JS: When Nick Canon came to my school and presented the award to me!
Receiving the Halo award means that the Miss Amazing Pageant has the
ability to expand to a national level. I become so excited thinking about
the possibility of reaching girls nationwide.

JS: I have been a fan of musical theater and the musical Rent for a long time, so
we were a perfect match. Rosario also raises self confidence in girls by
working with V-Day. She helps them realize that they don't have to be
silent and can inform everyone and anyone how they feel about being a woman.
Just seeing how passionate she was about this project has pushed me to
improve Miss Amazing even more.

CG: How do you keep going when you feel like giving up?

JS: I've gone through
too much work to feel like giving up. Sometimes I pity myself for my
packed schedule, though. My best piece of advice is to stay
GOAL-ORIENTED. As long as you have something to look forward to,
something you live for, your life will be fulfilling. If your path starts
swerving, be optimistic, make the most of any situation, and continue moving
forward.

CG:Describe the feeling you get when
helping others.

JS: The best
feeling is to be inspired while inspiring others in return. This is the
exact feeling I get when I volunteer and help others.

What about the HALO awards inspires you? Tell us in the
comments section below!

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